Senior Night 2011

This year's senior night at Braxton County was nothing short of amazing! The seniors along with their parents took their place in the center of the field with all of us cheering them on for their accomplishments. The most astonishing part of the evening was when the Fellowship of Christian Athletes with a small group of students stood alone in the center of the 100-yard field. As students read from the Bible, challenged all of us, gave testimony of their personal relationship with Christ, and finished with a short pray - my heart soared! Christ was so glorified in those brief moments!

As usual, the captains went out for the toss. My three children, Jeremiah, Charity, and Joy walked out with the captains as they had been invited to do. They all were wearing Micah's jerseys - #12. Jeremiah had the opportunity to speak to the team prior to the game, and he also joined them on the sidelines for the duration of the game. Clark and I held back tears as the kids walked hand-in-hand as everyone remembered Micah and honored him. The thing that encouraged me the most was the three kids being welcomed into the big huddle as the team pointed to the sky and cheered one another on! Thanks, guys!

Another winning season dedicated to Micah

Braxton County put another winning season in the books in 2011. The boys were rated 12th in the state in their division. The guys simply played their hearts out!

Football 2012

Micah played football for Braxton County High School in 2008, and planned to play in '09. Upon diagnosis in the Fall of 2009, he reluctantly resigned his intentions to join his teammates. This year would have been Micah's senior year of high school, and his former teammates wanted to honor Micah's memory all season long. Every Friday night, the captains carried the #12 jersey as they met the opposing captains for the toss of the coin. This jersey also hung on the fence as the boys played their hearts out for the duration of four quarters - remembering Micah. We love these guys, and we appreciate them.

Poem by Josh Adams

Walking into this room
Staring around so lost and confused
Hating the fact that you’re not here
Every photo on the wall is a reminder of you

Loved having you around
Especially the way you could bring me up from down
The jokes you told and the looks you gave
The friends you made and the life you lived

Amazed by the impact you had on my life
Only regrets is that our time was cut so short
Wanting you to know that your my hero
Amazed by your comic-book superpowers

Wished there's more I could have done
But now I know your goin’ to be there to meet everyone
At Heaven’s gates with that same amazing smile on your face
Makes me feel comfort knowing you’re watching over us

You proved the fact that life is too short
But you also showed me how to live it to the fullest
That fearless look in your eye is like a tattoo on my heart
A memory that will never fade or be erased

By Josh Adams (3-23-2010)

Brief Biography of Micah

Micah was a young man who knew and loved God for his entire life. His parents do not remember when he actually “came to Christ”, but just recall that his heart was always toward the Lord and His Word. Micah’s family served as missionaries in Central West Virginia. Micah served for over 40 weeks in his young life on mission projects, and eagerly worked like a man. He loved God, his family, friends, and “the least of these” with a pure heart. Many who knew Micah state that he was an angel, but he was not. While he did stumble and even fall at times from a perfect life, he always quickly repented and received God’s grace and forgiveness.
As he returned home from his final mission trip at Indian Crow Reservation in Montana, his parents told him of his tumor. July 27, Micah was diagnosed with Ewings’ Sarcoma – the fastest growing cancer that exists. For a few minutes he staggered at the declaration of this terminal illness, then he prayed an asked God for His help. Micah spent the next 20 weeks living life to the fullest, and glorifying God with all his might. He did take the time to write out his thoughts, and these were published in the local paper, internet, and even translated into foreign languages to encourage believers in other countries. While this excited him, he humbly stated that it was a privilege to suffer if that could bring glory to God and lead others to His love.
A portion of the statements that Micah made for the world to see and glorify the One he trusted in so much read, "We as human beings were created by God to worship and glorify Him. It is what we are designed to do. God also has had a plan for us since before we were born. God is all-knowing and I am not. That is the plain and simple truth. He is going to be glorified through me, not because I am some great person, but because He is a great, mighty, and totally awesome God!"
During the final weeks, as Micah’s body quickly declined due to the massive tumor that consumed the majority of the left side of his body, he continued to not flinch nor be moved at the impending possibility that his life would soon end upon earth. He continue to worship God at his local church, smile a lot, say “please”, “thank you”, and “I love you” to those who visited and cared for him. Micah had undaunted courage as he slipped into eternity without a fear; but with absolute trust in the fact that God created him for a purpose, and that purpose was to worship and glorify His precious Saviour.
Micah quietly went to be with Jesus on December 12, 2009 just a few days before his sixteenth birthday. His final words to his Dad just moments before his passing were, “Dad, I want to stand up!” As this statement epitomizes Micah’s young life, his parents feel that they will carry on his legacy and honor his last words by telling Micah’s story to anyone who will listen. To God, alone, be the glory!

Micah's Final Words (December 10, 2009)

Dad,

I don't know what to say. If you get this, I'm with God in Heaven waiting on you. The miracle we expected to happen didn't happen. I don't know how you're going to take that, or what you're going to do. Just stay on God. His plan will be complete.

I think I can say to myself, "I have fought the good fight." After a person can say that it's almost their time to go. Mine must have come and gone by now. I know this has to be hard on you, and I can't imagine what you're thinking or feeling. You're the best dad in the world that I know of. You set up yourself as a Christian head of the house, father. There is not much else I could ask for. I love you, Dad.

Hopefully you don't get this and I end up being a little bit like you, and I'll be happy. Wish I could say more.

Your loving son -- Micah

Micah's Note for Benefit Dinner (November 14, 2009)

God is at work. That is the most important thing all of you need to realize right now. He is working through my sickness in my life and in yours. I am becoming so very dependent on the Lord right now as you can imagine. I am realizing how much I am loved by God, family, and my friends. I guess I knew that I was loved and people cared about me, but now I am awestruck at how much love God has put into my life.
His love is so very amazing. The support that I am getting from people I don't know very well is astounding. The prayer support, emotional support, and financial support is just crazy.

I feel God's love in so many ways. Yes, I am not comfortable, I hurt, I'm not sleeping very well, but God is doing what He needs to do through my life. People are being drawn closer to God through this; His will is being done. That is the most important thing right now.

I will endure pain for Him; he has endured the ultimate for me and the least I can do is give back some. The Lord is working through all this and HE WILL BE GREATLY GLORIFIED!!!! He has been already and He will continue to be. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. That is the most important thing right now, and it will always be. Thank you in advance for all that you're doing already.

Your Brother in Christ -- Micah Ramsey